Giving every £ a job

Blackcats

Thank you for the inspiration Foxgloves and for your shopping from home technique.

yes SH, I'm working 2 days per week for 6 months so I think I'll count that as a way of maximising income.  

Still picking plenty of apples and tomatoes from the garden.  We had a tasty tomato and basil pasta for tea again tonight, basil and chillies were from the garden too.  

I'm just finishing the scalloped edge of a baby blanket and need to tidy up the ends and then I can move onto another project.  I shopped from my wool stash and found a lovely mottled heathery chunky wool.  I'd started a scarf with it and abandoned it - no idea why.  I'm going to unravel and start again because it's too wide currently.  Not sure whether to knit or crochet it ... decisions decisions.  I'm looking forward to more time in the Autumn to relax and read/knit/play cards or board games especially when it gets dark so early.  My mum had lots of jigsaws ... I haven't done a jigsaw for years but might have a go at one of her simpler ones.

savingholmes

The wool stash sounds perfect now you have more time.

You should get tax back each month too as your pay adjusts.

leftatthetrafficlights

Finally made it through your diary - you've done an amazing job of turning your attitude to spending and saving around! 👏 I hope you enjoy your semi-retirement - workplace drama is tedious and soul destroying so hopefully being more on the 'sidelines' will allow you to disengage from their stupidity 😉 

Blackcats

Thanks SH - I hadn't thought about the tax .... that's good news.  

Leftatthelights - Thank you for reading my diary - it's been a long journey for me but I've nearly achieved my dream of early retirement.  I think I'm still more inclined to being a spender than a saver but being here makes me more accountable.  

we are away on holiday for a few days - feeling very relaxed and enjoying some autumn sunshine.  We are self catering but blending cooking at home and eating out.  We shared a pizza at lunchtime at a fabulous cafe overlooking the gently lapping sea.  Back to our cottage now with our music playing and a glass of wine.  One of us is going to make some snacks soon ....I'm hoping it won't be me 😋

Sun_Addict

Ooh that sounds great, enjoy 😊 

savingholmes

Cottage break sounds gorgeous. 

leftatthetrafficlights

I hope the weather is still being kind and you have a relaxing time 😁

lucielle

Hope you have a lovely time. 

L

MissRikkiC

Hope you’re enjoying your holiday. Sounds exactly as i would like and just did in centre parcs. 

A bit jealous of you being able to still pick your tomatoes from the garden, we came back from CPs and ours all had blight. They looked just awful 😞  they were so delicious as well. 

Blackcats

Thank you SH, Leftatthetrafficlights, Lucielle and MissRikkiC.
the weather here is glorious - sunny and warm .... so lucky that I packed coats and boots 🤔. Fortunately there's a washing machine so I can re-use the couple of summery tops I brought with me.  

Spent a lot of yesterday watching the funeral.  I hadn't planned to but it was compelling and very moving.  Even at our seaside resort the shops, restaurants and bars were closed and that felt right and respectful. 

Only been here a few days but feeling relaxed and energised.  Lots of headspace to make plans for a very different Autumn/Winter.  My week will flip from 5 days work with 2 days off to 5 days off and 2 days work.

I admire how much Foxgloves packs into her day and I'm going to try to make the most of each day by getting chores done, getting out and about and leisure time.  

Holiday finances are looking ok.  We are off out on a steam train ride later and will have tea and cake whilst there.  Fish and chips for tea.  Luckily we had a relatively healthy breakfast so some fruit, nuts and porridge might at least help counteract cake and chips.

my £25 cash back from Raisin has come through - thanks to a MSE code.  I think I'll get another £25 in 3 months.  Part of my strategy is to use my money as best I can to make money.  OH is due a tax rebate which is taking ages - I plan to nab that and invest that on his behalf as soon as it comes through. 

My last full time pay day is on Friday ... scary but exciting.